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Classroom Exercise

Quick activities. Real results.

Find low-prep drama exercises that build skills, boost participation, and fit into any class.

Eavesdropping Exercise: Where do ideas come from?
Classroom Exercise

Eavesdropping Exercise: Where do ideas come from?

Ideas are not magical ponies. They don’t appear instantly. Writers know they have to look for ideas. The more they look for them, the more ideas they have. The key with ideas is not to focus on the...
What’s in Your Bag?
Classroom Exercise

What’s in Your Bag?

Characters come alive in the smallest details: a favourite food, a favourite type of music, a fear of spiders, an allergy to plums, a scar from a fall at two years of age, a love of reality...
Expression Exercise: Instagram Journaling
Classroom Exercise

Expression Exercise: Instagram Journaling

Today’s students are visual learners. They look at screens all day long, it makes sense that they are going to be grabbed by a picture instead of something they hear or read. So why not bring the...
Exercise: Positive/Negative Post-Its
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: Positive/Negative Post-Its

Jessica Stafford of Owensboro Middle School was in the middle of rehearsing Hoodie for the KTA middle school festival. She generously shared this “Positive and Negative Post-it Exercise” she used...
Resolutions in the Drama Classroom
Classroom Exercise

Resolutions in the Drama Classroom

The start of a new year holds many promises. I will make a resolution! I will change my life! I will….do something for two weeks and then go back to my old way of doing things. Because there’s so...
Playwriting Exercise: Picture Prompts
Classroom Exercise

Playwriting Exercise: Picture Prompts

Location, location, location , a scene can totally be driven by where it’s set. Picture prompts serve as a great starting point. To that end, write a scene between two characters that use the...
Location Sound Exercise
Classroom Exercise

Location Sound Exercise

Sound is a powerful sense. Many objects and actions are clearly identified by the sounds they make. Sound also triggers powerful memories. When I hear a screen door slam, I am instantly brought...
Exercise: Shakespearean Insults
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: Shakespearean Insults

If you have a Shakespeare unit or play study planned for your class, start with this exercise; it’s a great doorway to engaging with the Bard. The key to Shakespeare is to get students up and...
Picture Prompt: What are they talking about?
Classroom Exercise

Picture Prompt: What are they talking about?

Ideas can come from anything and everything. But it’s always a good idea to give students a jumping off point. Pictures are a great jumping off point for creative writing. Here, we’re looking at a...
Picture Prompt: The Aftermath
Classroom Exercise

Picture Prompt: The Aftermath

Ideas can come from anything and everything. But it’s always a good idea to give students a jumping off point. Pictures are a great jumping off point for creative writing. Today we’re looking at...
Classroom Exercise: Fear In A Hat
Classroom Exercise

Classroom Exercise: Fear In A Hat

One of the keys to Classroom Management is getting students to work well together. Group work is tricky if students don’t know one another. Why should I share something with this guy who doesn’t...
Classroom Exercise: What’s in a Name?
Classroom Exercise

Classroom Exercise: What’s in a Name?

One of the keys to Classroom Management is getting students to work well together. Group work is tricky if students don’t know one another. Why should I share something with this guy who doesn’t...
Classroom Exercise: Whaddya Know?
Classroom Exercise

Classroom Exercise: Whaddya Know?

One of the keys to Classroom Management is getting students to work well together. Group work is tricky if students don’t know each other. Why should I share something with this guy who doesn’t say...
Classroom Exercise: Verbatim Theatre
Classroom Exercise

Classroom Exercise: Verbatim Theatre

If you’re looking for a great cross-curricular activity for your drama classroom, delve into verbatim theatre. Verbatim: in exactly the same words, word for word Verbatim theatre uses a process in...
Expression Exercise: Who Am I?
Classroom Exercise

Expression Exercise: Who Am I?

Who am I? It’s a question not a lot of people ask. Who am I? What defines me? Effective artistic expression begins with you. If you’re going to write a well detailed character, you should know...
Playwriting & Acting Exercise: One Word
Classroom Exercise

Playwriting & Acting Exercise: One Word

This exercise works for both playwrights and actors. It can be done by playwright working on a new play, or by an actor in rehearsal. It’s very simple, but also illuminating. It will encourage you...
Exercise: Play Trailer
Classroom Exercise

Exercise: Play Trailer

I received the trailer below for a production of Tuna Fish Eulogy and I think it’s great. It’s basically a commercial for the show, but also gives a clear indication of the style of the production,...